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Sunday, January 13, 2008

“The cranes were spectacular—thousands and thousands of them, on the shore, on distant sandbars, in flight behind me and in front of me, soaring in from all directions, filling the air with their wonderful calls.” Feb. 5, 2000

I am describing the Sandhill cranes staging at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge in my first attempt to create a sketch book field journal. Over all, this little book is awkward and elementary. I didn’t know how to turn off the editor in my head and I hadn’t yet experienced my first watercolor class. But I treasure this record for its early attempts to record my experience and for the fresh excitement that is so palatable within its pages.

The Cherokee Indian Heritage and Sandhill Crane Viewing Days are around the corner, Saturday, January 19th. You won’t want to miss this. Tens of thousands of greater Sandhill Cranes are converging on the confluence of the Hiwassee and Tennessee Rivers to rest and feast on corn and the music of their voices fills every corner of the earth and sky.

You will also want to take in the exhibits and presentations, for there you will learn some of the fun and lesser known things about wildlife and wild places. You will especially want to hear and meet my friend, Stephen Lyn Bales, author of Natural Histories, a volume full of lyrical stories that will take you into the wonders of nature and make you feel you are there with him. Also listen to TWRA’s Kirk Miles as he presents on the incredible wildlife diversity that we enjoy in Tennessee and Dan Hicks, speaking on our elk at Royal Blue.

I will be exhibiting my art at the Birchwood School for the eighth consecutive year. This is where it all began, my first exhibit and my first art sale. Birchwood, northeast of Chattanooga, is on State Route 60 south of Dayton. Come by and say “hi” and enjoy the festivities. I look forward to meeting you!

Bird-banding at Seven Islands State Birding Park--2014

Bird-banding at Seven Islands

Enjoying Gray Jays in Churchill!--2014

Smithsonian National Zoo with one of my Whooping Crane banners and son, John--2014

The Incredible Muir Woods near Stinson Beach, CA--2014

Photo courtesy of Wendy Pitts Reeves

Me and Denali--2012

Photo courtesy of Bob King

For the Love of It...

...the sage sees heaven reflected in Nature as in a mirror, and he pursues this Art, not for the sake of gold or silver, but for the love of the knowledge which it reveals.Sendivogius (1750)

Your Uncapped Creativity...

"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action; and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. If you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. You must keep that channel open. It is not for you to determine how good it is, nor how valuable. Nor how it compares with other expressions. It is for you to keep it yours, clearly and directly." ----the great dancer, Martha Graham

Tennessee's Majestic Sandhill Cranes

Autumn Birds Note Cards

Welcome!

Vickie Henderson

Artist, writer, photographer and nature enthusiast, I blog about the experiences that inspire my art. My posts include nature observations and my love for the creative process. For more information about my art visit my "More About Me" page.

Whooping Crane Photo Images

Whooping Cranes

Whooping cranes were on the brink of extinction in the early 1940's with only 15 remaining in the population that migrates from their nesting grounds in Canada to the coast of Texas. Today, after many years of help, this population has reached a record number of 266. In order to safeguard this species, biologists are using an innovative method to imprint captive reared Whooping cranes and teach them to migrate behind ultralight aircraft. In this way, Whooping cranes have been restored to the Eastern flyway and a separate wild migrating population has been established. As more and more people have the privilege of seeing these birds, Whooping cranes have become ambassadors for our wetlands and for all species in need of our assistance. Support our wildlife. Select a favorite project, a favorite place, a favorite species and do your part to help our natural world.